Alcoholics Anonymous Membership Survey

In 2007 more than 8,000 A.A. members from the U.S. and Canada participated in a random survey of the membership. Similar studies have been conducted every three
years since 1968 by the General Service Office. Alcoholics Anonymous conducts this survey to keep members informed on current trends in membership characteristics. The survey also provides information about A.A. to the professional community and to the general public.

Ages of Members

Under age 21

2.3%

Age 21 through 30

11.3%

Age 31 through 40

16.5%

Age 41 through 50

28.5%

Age 51 through 60

23.8%

Age 61 through 70

12.3%

Over 70

5.3%

The average age of an A.A. member is 47 years.

Composition of Membership

White

85.1%

Black

5.7%

Hispanic

4.8%

Native American

1.6%

Asian and other

2.8%

Gender of Membership

Men 67%
Women 33%

Marital Status of Members

Married

35%

Single

34%

Divorced

23%

Other

8%

Length of Sobriety

Sober between 5-10 years

12%

Sober more than 10 years

33%

Sober between 1–5 years

24%

Sober less than 1 year

31%

Average sobriety of members is more than eight years.

Introduction to A.A.

Factors most responsible for members coming to A.A. (two responses permitted– total responses may add up to more than 100%).

Through an A.A. member

33%

Treatment facility

33%

Self-motivated

31%

Family

24%

Court order

11%

Counseling agency

8%

Health Professional

7%

Employer or fellow worker

4%

Non-A.A. friend or neighbor

3%

Correctional facility

3%

Al-Anon or Alateen member

2%

A.A. literature

2%

Media

1%

Member of clergy

1%

Internet

1%

Other

7%

Sponsorship

79% of members have a sponsor.
73% got a sponsor within 90 days.

Meeting Attendance

Members attend an average of 2.4 A.A. meetings per week.

Members’ Occupations

Retired

16%

Self-employed/Other

11%

Manager/Administrator

10%

Professional/Technical

10%

Skilled Trade

8%

Unemployed

8%

Laborer

6%

Health professional

5%

Disabled (not working)

5%

Sales worker

4%

Student

4%

Service worker

3%

Educator

3%

Clerical Worker

2%

Homemaker

2%

Transportation (equip. oper.)

2%

Craft worker

1%

The contents of this web-page is available from G.S.O.; A.A. World Services, New York, NY 10163. www.aa.org.